Facts About Alzheimer s

Transcription

1 Facts About Alzheimer s Frequently Asked Questions and More. with the compliments of Division of Health Services Diocese of Camden

2 Alzheimer's disease affects about four million Americans today. In fact, experts predict that the disease may affect as many as eight to ten million people by the year The questions and answers in this pamphlet explain Alzheimer's and offer suggestions for getting help. Facts About Alzheimer's Disease One out of three families in the United States is affected by Alzheimer's disease. 10% of Americans over the age of 65, 20% of people between the ages of 75 and 84, and nearly 50% of those over 85 have Alzheimer's disease. 14 million Americans are expected to have Alzheimer's by the middle of the next century unless a cure or prevention is found. People with Alzheimer's live an average of seven to eight years with the disease, and some suffer from it for 20 years or more. 70% to 75% of patients are cared for at home. Women account for 70% to 80% of primary caregivers. Approximately 50% of caregivers live with the Alzheimer's patient. The average age for caregivers is 50 to 60 years old. Caregivers spend an average of 70 hours a week caring for a person with Alzheimer's.

3 Ask Ask Ask Does Your Loved One Have Alzheimer's Disease? Only a doctor can tell you for sure, but if you answer "yes" to three or more of these warning signs for Alzheimer's, you should follow-up with a visit to a doctor for further assessment. 1. Does he or she forget frequently and ask the same questions repeatedly? 2. Does he or she have trouble doing tasks that they have always done, such as preparing a meal or counting money? 3. Does he or she frequently forget simple words and have trouble communicating? 4. Are you afraid that if you let he or she go out alone he or she would get lost? 5. Does he or she show poor judgement, for example, wearing a bathrobe when they are preparing to go out to the store? 6. Does he or she have trouble figuring out problems he or she used to handle easily? 7. Does he or she repeatedly misplace things? 8. Does he or she experience rapid mood swings, like feeling calm to tears to anger in a few minutes? 9. Has his or her personality changed drastically? Has he or she become irritable, suspicious, or fearful? 10. Has he or she lost interest in activities he or she used to enjoy?

4 FACTS ABOUT ALZHEIMER S Frequently Asked Questions and More. What is Alzheimer's Disease? Alzheimer's is a disease that attacks brain cells and results in impaired memory, thinking and behavior. Scientists are still not certain what causes Alzheimer's. Family history and age have been identified as potential factors, however it is likely that a number of things contribute to it. Although there is no known cure for the disease, each year brings researchers closer to uncovering more clues and developing treatment options. Medication and non-drug therapies are available to reduce some behavioral symptoms such as depression, sleeplessness and agitation. How is Alzheimer's Diagnosed? There is no single, comprehensive test to diagnose Alzheimer's. As a result, doctors and specialists must first rule out other conditions through a process of elimination. A variety of exams are conducted along with a review of the patient's medical history. How Does the Disease Progress? Alzheimer's disease affects people in different ways, making it difficult for medical professionals to predict how an individual's disease will progress. Generally, short-term memory is affected first. Later, the disease affects cognitive and physical functions. Isn't Memory Loss a Normal Part of Aging? Everyone forgets now and then. Many people tend to forget more often as they grow older. Alzheimer's is more serious than lapses in memory because it is a disease that destroys brain cells. People with Alzheimer's experience difficulty communicating, learning, thinking and reasoning. As a result, the disease has an impact on a person's work, social and family life. What Should I Do if My Loved One is Diagnosed with Alzheimer's? It is very important for family members and caregivers to learn as much as possible about the disease. This information will help you understand what the person with Alzheimer's is going through and what you can do to help him/her. The family members and caregivers are encouraged to work with the patient's doctor to plan their loved one's care. Care Settings Include: Alzheimer's Adult Day Care Adult day care programs offer a variety of group activities such as music, games, stories and exercise. Also, transportation, lunch and healthy snacks are included in many programs. People with Alzheimer's often enjoy being around others their own age in a facility that caters to their special needs and interests. Adult day care programs can also help the caregiver by providing some desperately needed respite. Caregivers can use this time to meet their other responsibilities or simply enjoy some well-deserved time off. Assisted Living Appropriate for people in the early stages of Alzheimer's, these apartment-like settings typically provide a private or shared room, one to three meals a day, and in some cases, a kitchenette. While there is 24-hour staff, it is common to find only one registered nurse available. Licensed and regulated by the State of New Jersey, their personnel s levels of skill and knowledge of the disease varies, although a few facilities do specialize in Alzheimer's care. Financial aid for assisted living residents is limited. However, the State of New Jersey does offer a voucher payment program for certain qualified Medicaid recipients. Skilled Nursing Care These settings provide room and board with 24-hour, round the clock skilled nursing care. Resident rooms may be private or shared and some settings may have special units or wings that care exclusively for persons with dementia. The number of staff to resident ratio will be different from place to place, as will the knowledge and training of staff in caring for people with the disease. Regulated and licensed by the state and/or federal government, most skilled nursing facilities provide specific structured activities and programs for their Alzheimer's patients. Upon admission into a skilled nursing home, Alzheimer's patients will be assessed. While encouraged to maximize their abilities, they will not be expected to perform skills that they are no longer capable of doing. Settings of this type may be appropriate for persons in the middle, late and end stages of the disease. Why is Getting Help So Important? You may feel that you are the only person who can or should care for your loved one with Alzheimer's. You're not alone. Most people caring for a person with Alzheimer's feel that way. Very often a caregiver cannot believe that anyone else will be able to provide the understanding and care his or her loved one needs. Caring for the needs of a person with Alzheimer's, even at the early stages of the disease, can be very demanding. As the disease progresses, a person with Alzheimer's will require more and more attention and care. Eventually, caring for someone with Alzheimer's can completely dominate your life, putting great strain on your ability to cope with all your other responsibilities. Over time, the patient's constant need for attention can drain both your physical and emotional strength. That's why you should consider getting some help providing the care your loved one needs. It will allow you to maintain your ability to be both patient and understanding throughout the course of the disease. Just a few hours a day away from the burdens of being a caregiver can refresh you and help you provide loving care over the long term. Keep in mind that getting some help does not mean that you are giving up your important role as the primary caregiver. Where Can You Get Help? If you think your loved one has Alzheimer's disease, there are several things you should do. First, you need to determine whether or not your loved one does, in fact, have Alzheimer's. Arrange to have him or her evaluated by a doctor who has experience in diagnosing and treating people with Alzheimer's. Sometimes a person may appear to have Alzheimer's, but in fact, the symptoms can also be caused by other conditions, such as depression or a thyroid disorder. Next, learn as much as possible about the disease and how to deal with the challenges it presents to caregivers. Then, call and speak with professionals who provide specialized care for Alzheimer's. Professionals at our facilities are available to answer questions.

5 Support Groups and Where to Find One? Support groups are a godsend for caregivers. It can be encouraging and helpful to speak with other families and caregivers who have gone through what you are going through now. Local health care companies and Alzheimer's organizations can direct you to support groups in your neighborhood. ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION Greater New Jersey Chapter 400 Morris Avenue, Suite 251 Denville, NJ Helpline: To order additional quantities of our educational pamphlets, call toll-free: DIOCESE ( ) THE MANOR AT ST. MARY S Full Service Residence for Active Seniors 220 St. Mary s Drive, Cherry Hill, NJ ST. MARY S CATHOLIC HOME 210 St. Mary s Drive, Cherry Hill, NJ OUR LADY S MULTI-CARE CENTER 1100 Clematis Avenue, Pleasantville, NJ BISHOP MCCARTHY RESIDENCE 1045 East Chestnut Avenue, Vineland, NJ MATER DEI NURSING HOME Skilled Nursing Home 176 Route 40, Newfield, NJ MDU, Inc. All Rights Reserved